South Africa: National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA)

The National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) was established under the Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Act, No.18 of 2006, to provide for the use of measurement units of the International System of Units (SI) and to provide for the keeping and maintenance of the national measurement standards. The history of metrology, however, began with the National Metrology Laboratory (NML) during 1947, the date of the first calibration records and not at the date of creation of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) itself (1945) or the National Physical Laboratory (1946). It was only at the beginning of 1978 that the Ionising Radiation Laboratory was established. The capabilities cover both the radiation dosimetry and the measurement of radioactivity. The radioactivity laboratory is a primary standard laboratory and provides calibration for various industries including nuclear medicine departments. Since the beginning of the 90's, the dosimetry activities moved away from maintaining primary standards. Instead, focus became more on maintaining internationally traceable secondary standards covering the scope of the needs in the country. The current staff complement is nine, including an intern position for dosimetry and three in the radioactivity laboratory. The SSDL hosts students working towards their qualifications, for in-service training. Importantly, as a regionally designated centre for English speaking countries, the SSDL hosts training of regional scientists. Available Resources for the SSDL: NMISA has over the years established new services and improved most of existing services.